Steve Patterson was left wondering what might have been after the conclusion of today’s Bob Willis Trophy draw with Derbyshire at Emerald Headingley.
Pleased with his side’s performance, the Yorkshire captain was frustrated that the weather – 138 overs were lost across four days – meant their endeavours with bat and ball were not rewarded with a third straight victory at the start of the North Group.
Derbyshire closed day four on 300-7 declared in reply to Yorkshire’s 400-6 declared.
The White Rose claimed 15 points to Derbyshire’s 13, meaning Derby are top of the North by two points with two games remaining.
Yorkshire’s penultimate North Group fixture is against Lancashire, starting at Headingley on Saturday.
With only the two best placed group winners advancing to next month’s Lord’s final, Yorkshire have to have an eye elsewhere, with Worcestershire and Essex leading the Central and South groups.
“We’re in a strong position in terms of the group, but a lot can happen yet,” said skipper Patterson.
“We won our first two games without playing our best cricket, and we’ve now effectively lost a game to the weather.
“You can potentially win the group and not go (to the final) anyway, and from my perspective it’s all about the level we play.
“I was pleased with the way the lads went about it in this match after we lost the toss and were put into bat in difficult conditions.
“To go on and get 400 and maximum batting points was a wonderful achievement, and then I thought with the ball we worked really hard and stuck to our task with a young attack.”
Yorkshire played the majority of the better cricket in this fixture, although Derbyshire claimed today’s honours in advancing from 198-6 thanks to half-centuries from Matt Critchley and Anuj Dal.
The standout performer in the match was Dawid Malan with a stunning 219, his maiden career double century on his home debut.
“It was very pleasing to see Dawid go on and get a double hundred,” added Patterson.
“We signed him because we knew he was a high-quality player, and he proved that this week.
“We knew we were probably short of one senior batter, and he’s settled in quickly and done really well.
“We’ve got a number of young lads who’ve got a lot of ability and potential, but Dawid brings much needed experience as well.”
Yorkshire and Lancashire will both be affected by injury and unavailability for this weekend’s fixture.
Yorkshire will be without Jonny Bairstow, Malan and David Willey due to England T20 duty, while Matthew Fisher (abdominal) is being prepared for a return at the start of the Vitality Blast at the back end of next week.
Ben Coad could return from an oblique injury, but Gary Ballance is still not fully fit after illness and is unlikely to be available.
Lancashire will be missing Saqib Mahmood and Liam Livingstone due to England commitments, while seamers Graham Onions, Matthew Parkinson and Luke Wood are are either injured or recovering from ailments.
